Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

INHS Reports September-October 1999

Education Outreach at the Survey: Bringing Science to the People

The Education Outreach Program of the Illinois Natural History Survey is varied, diverse, and ever-changing.

Philosophically, outreach at the Survey is centered around one simple statement written by Stephen A. Forbes in 1891: "The children [and adults!] must be drawn towards and not away from the woods and fields and waters and must be led to see more clearly . . ." On any given day, outreach is:

* designing, constructing, and staffing a major exhibit about Illinois
--Chicago Sportsmen's Show, McCormick Place

* piquing the interest of middle school girls in science
--Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science (GEMS) Program

* building and staffing a booth about Illinois organisms
--Allerton Park Chautauqua

* training Illinois citizens in the rigors of ecological monitoring
--Illinois EcoWatch Program

* developing innovative ways to teach everyone about
the world of insects
--Insect Theatre

* training teachers about biodiversity, wetlands, and biological control
--Purple Loosestrife Education Program

* conducting nature workshops throughout the state
for educational institutions and government agencies

* putting children in intimate contact with a wetland

* helping inner-city children plant a prairie in a vacant lot near Cabrini
Green in Chicago
--Community Youth Creative Learning Experience (CYCLE) Program

Charlie Warwick, editor